Introduction

Choosing the right ecommerce platform can make or break your online business. Imagine investing time and money into a platform, only to discover it's not suitable for your growing needs. It's a critical decision that impacts your operations, marketing, and scalability. Today, we delve into two popular ecommerce platforms—Weebly and BigCommerce—to help you make an informed choice for your online store.

Weebly is known for its user-friendly interface and affordability, making it ideal for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. On the other hand, BigCommerce offers robust features and scalability, positioning itself as a strong contender for larger companies aiming to expand their digital footprint. By the end of this post, you'll have a clear understanding of which platform aligns best with your business needs.

Let’s start with a detailed comparison of Weebly and BigCommerce regarding their pricing, core features, ease of use, and more.

Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing and Fees

One of the most significant differences between Weebly and BigCommerce is their pricing structure. Weebly stands out with a "free forever" plan that includes basic ecommerce tools. Paid plans range from $10 to $26 per month, offering features like a custom domain, unlimited storage, and advanced analytics. The highest plan includes abandoned cart emails and additional ecommerce insights, making it a cost-effective solution for small businesses.

In contrast, BigCommerce does not offer a free plan, but provides a 15-day free trial. Pricing starts at $39 per month for the Standard plan, scaling up to $399 per month for the Pro plan. An enterprise plan is also available with custom pricing. While BigCommerce is more expensive, it justifies the cost with advanced features and no transaction fees. However, each plan restricts annual sales volume, such as the $50k limit on the Standard plan.

BigCommerce offers more bang for your buck in terms of advanced features like omnichannel selling and international capabilities—an investment worth considering for larger companies.

Core Features Comparison

Website Building and Design

Both platforms provide extensive design options. Weebly and BigCommerce offer hundreds of responsive templates that cater to various industries. However, BigCommerce's themes are more tailored to ecommerce needs, while Weebly offers a broader range, including portfolio and blog sites.

In terms of customization, Weebly excels with its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, requiring no coding skills. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners. BigCommerce, although more complex, offers deeper customization options, allowing for changes in CSS and HTML, creating global widgets, and more. This makes it ideal for users who need more control over their store's appearance and functionality.

Ecommerce and Selling Features

Weebly offers robust ecommerce capabilities at an affordable price. It supports unlimited products, inventory management, tax calculation, and delivery options. However, to sell both physical and digital goods or to access features like abandoned cart emails, you must opt for a paid plan. Additionally, PayPal payments are restricted to the Performance plan.

BigCommerce offers more advanced ecommerce tools, including automatic discounts through a partnership with PayPal. It also supports multiple payment systems. With features like real-time shipping quotes, product reviews, multi-currency options, and specialized plans for B2B and wholesale, BigCommerce is a powerhouse for any business looking to scale operations.

Marketing Tools and Analytics

Content marketing and SEO are vital for any ecommerce business. Weebly offers excellent blogging features and marketing tools like pop-up notifications and lead capture forms. However, it lacks comprehensive SEO capabilities, limiting your potential to rank higher in search results.

BigCommerce provides more in-depth SEO options, allowing for extensive customization to improve search rankings. Marketing tools such as abandoned cart emails, product promotions, and integrations with various email marketing services are more advanced in BigCommerce. Its dashboard reports offer detailed insights into inventory, sales, and customer behavior, making it the better choice for data-driven decisions.

AI Capabilities

AI is increasingly becoming a game-changer in ecommerce. BigCommerce leads the way with its BigAI toolkit, offering AI content generation, predictive analytics, and personalized product recommendations. This allows for a more tailored shopping experience for your customers.

Unfortunately, Weebly does not natively offer AI capabilities. While you can integrate third-party AI tools, the options are limited compared to BigCommerce's built-in features.

Integrations and Apps

Both platforms offer a variety of integrations, but BigCommerce stands out with over 850 apps, including options for marketing, dropshipping, fulfillment, and analytics. This vast selection allows for seamless integration of tools to optimize your business operations.

Weebly's App Center, while decent, offers around 100 apps. It provides basic functionalities, but lacks the depth and breadth of BigCommerce’s marketplace.

Ease of Use and Customer Support

Weebly is highly praised for its ease of use. Its drag-and-drop interface and straightforward design tools make it accessible for non-technical users. In contrast, BigCommerce has a steeper learning curve, although it has become more user-friendly over time, especially with AI tools.

When it comes to customer support, BigCommerce excels. Both platforms offer 24/7 support, but BigCommerce provides better resources, including detailed tutorials, guides, an online community, and numerous instructional videos. Weebly's support is more restricted, especially on its free and personal plans.

Final Verdict

Choosing between Weebly and BigCommerce depends largely on your business size and needs. For small businesses or those just starting, Weebly offers a budget-friendly and user-friendly solution with enough ecommerce tools to get you off the ground. Its simplicity makes it an attractive choice for those who prioritize ease of use.

For larger businesses or those looking to scale, BigCommerce is the better option. Its advanced features, including superior inventory management, AI capabilities, and robust marketing tools, justify the higher cost. The platform is designed to grow with your business, providing the scalability and support needed for long-term success.

FAQ

Which platform is easier to use?

Weebly is generally easier to use, featuring an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that does not require any technical expertise.

Which platform offers better ecommerce features?

BigCommerce offers more advanced ecommerce features, including omnichannel selling, advanced inventory management, and extensive SEO options.

Can I start with Weebly and switch to BigCommerce later?

Yes, you can start with Weebly and migrate to BigCommerce as your business grows. However, be prepared to invest some time and resources into the migration process.

Is there a free plan available?

Weebly offers a "free forever" plan with basic ecommerce tools. BigCommerce does not have a free plan but offers a 15-day free trial.

Which platform is more suitable for scaling a business?

BigCommerce is more suitable for scaling a business, offering features designed to support larger operations, including advanced marketing tools, AI capabilities, and extensive integrations.

By carefully considering your current needs and future goals, you can make an informed decision that best supports your ecommerce journey.

Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing, Features, Pros and Cons

Table of Contents

Introduction

Weebly vs BigCommerce: Pricing and Fees